Doctoral student receives UGA's first Materials Research Society Award

Kun Wang, a doctoral student in the department of physics and astronomy, received a Materials Research Society (MRS) graduate student award for research he presented at the recent 2016 MRS Fall Meeting in Boston:

Wang, who has been conducting nanoelectronics research in the College of Engineering, is the first UGA student to receive the prestigious MRS research award. In all, 19 students received the silver award, which recognizes students whose academic achievements and materials research display a high level of excellence and distinction. Seven students received gold awards in the competition.

“It’s a great honor, especially to be the first student from UGA to receive the award,” said Wang. “I was surprised to be selected as a finalist because I was competing with some very talented student researchers.”

Wang won the award for his work on designing molecular-scale electronics, research that could pave the way toward smaller and more powerful electronic devices. Working with his faculty adviser, Binqian Xu, a professor in the College of Engineering, and a team of other researchers, Wang helped investigate the use of single DNA-based molecules as a replacement for conventional electronic diodes. The team’s research was published in the journal Nature Chemistry.

“This was the first time DNA had been used as a functional electronics device,” said Wang. “It’s an important project because it has implications in many other areas of nanoelectronics research.”

Congratulations to Wang and Dr. Xu in the College of Engineering. The best students find their way and inspire others as they pursue their dreams. Great faculty create opportunities on campus as a crucial part of the research enterprise. When these forces work in concert, 'teaching in the lab' becomes a reality that solves problems and provides a foundation for rewarding careers. These are some of the ways we describe a great university.